• Civil liberties, human rights, public inquiries, and public and administrative law - leading juniors
2015 “A first rate lawyer who combines a deep understanding of legal processes with a sharp eye”
2016 “He has an excellent grasp of practicalities and a sound understanding of legal principles”
2017 "A dexterous advocate"

• Personal injury, medical negligence and professional negligence
2015 “At the top of the junior tree”
2016 “Professional, approachable and easy to deal with”
2017 "Very personable and easy to work with"

• Employment
2016 “He is measured, immensely hardworking and good with clients”
2017 "Experienced across a range of employment matters"

Hugh has a broad commercial and civil practice specialising in commercial, employment and public law litigation. His commercial and employment cases have included claims arising out of the purchase of a football club, defamation of product, company disputes, disputes with directors and termination of employment, minority shareholdings, discrimination, director disqualification, commercial leases and construction disputes. In public law, as a standing junior Hugh is instructed by the UK Government, and the Scottish Government. He is also instructed by local authorities and other public bodies. He has acted for the DVLA in numerous Fatal Accident Inquiries. He has also acted in cases involving a midwife's right of conscientious objection to abortion, roads, contempt of court, confidentiality of public health and marine accident investigations, privacy, immigration and social security.

He is a trained mediator and has acted as a mediator in disputes between a commercial cleaning company and a provider of cleaning supplies and services, between parties that had a lengthy personal and business relationship that turned sour, and a bank and a customer who had guaranteed company debts.

He has been involved in mediations in the areas of partnership, professional negligence, employment and commercial disputes. Hugh is a member of the Faculty Dispute Resolution Service.

Education & Professional Career to Date

Solicitor

LLB (Hons); Diploma in Legal Practice

Appointments

Deputy Traffic Commissioner for Scotland (part time) (2017–present)

Standing Junior to the Ministry of Defence (2012 –present)

General Standing Junior to the Advocate General for Scotland (2009–2012)

Selected Cases

With Brian Napier QC whether when a fixed term contract of employment ended, a failure to offer the employee a new contract was a dismissal 'for a reason not related to the individual concerned' for the purposes of s.195(1) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.

A test case for 70 former oil company employees, in which an offshore engineer sought an enhanced redundancy package on the basis of an implied term arising from an alleged policy or practice since 1986.